Mariska, Kiefer Score First-Time Emmys

Sunday's 58th annual Emmy Awards ceremony was a big night for first-time winners. After three nominations, Mariska Hargitay finally won her first Emmy, as leading actress in the dramatic series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

"When I named my son August, I had no idea that the month would end like this!" said the thrilled Hargitay – who, with husband Peter Hermann, welcomed their first child on June 28.

Kiefer Sutherland won his first-ever Emmy – after nine nominations – for best actor in the drama 24. Clutching his statuette, Sutherland said the win meant he'd be having dinner with his father, actor Donald Sutherland, who was also in the Shrine Auditorium.

He called his six years on 24 – which also was named best dramatic series – "nothing short of exceptional."

The New Adventures of Old Christine star Julia Louis-Dreyfus took her second Emmy, this time for leading actress in a comedy series. Her first was for her supporting role as Elaine on Seinfeld.

As the first costar from that seminal sitcom to escape the "Seinfeld curse" and have a success with another show, Louis-Dreyfus said, "I'm not somebody who really believes in curses." Then, holding up her Emmy, she said, "But curse this, baby!"

The Office, starring Steve Carell and based on a British sitcom created by Ricky Gervais, was named best comedy series.

Earlier, the Emmys took a trip down memory lane when Joan Collins, Heather Locklear and 7th Heaven leading man Stephen Collins kicked off a tribute to prolific producer Aaron Spelling, who died in June.

Melrose Place star Locklear said that the "warm, generous and loving" Spelling referred to her as his "lucky penny." Dynasty diva Collins recalled meeting him when he was a struggling actor who was confident he would one day become a successful producer.

Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith

Vince Bucci / Getty

Spelling's Charlie's Angels – Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith – all teared up while remembering their starmaker, as his widow, Candy Spelling, wiped away her tears while sitting in the audience next to her son, Randy Spelling.

When the awards resumed, The Amazing Race continued its amazing run as best reality show, winning its fourth Emmy and beating such strong contenders as American Idol and Survivor.

HBO's The Girl in the Café, a romantic character drama set against the G8 conference, was named best TV movie. Kelly Macdonald was named best supporting actress for her performance and Richard Curtis was cited for his direction. HBO's Elizabeth I was named best miniseries – and its leading lady, Helen Mirren, best actress in a miniseries.